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Ventricular-subcutaneous shunt for the treatment of experimental hydrocephalus in young rats: technical note
Marcelo Volpon Santos1,2, Camila Araujo Bernardino Garcia3, Evelise Oliveira Jardini3
1Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil. marcelovolpon@yahoo.com.
Insights
A new experimental cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt technique effectively treats hydrocephalus in young rats with minimal complications. This adaptable method shows promise for future research into pediatric hydrocephalus treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Surgery
- Animal Models
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric condition affecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics.
- Current CSF shunting treatments have unknown developmental effects.
- Experimental models are crucial for studying hydrocephalus and shunting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe a reliable ventricular-subcutaneous shunt (VSCS) technique.
- To treat kaolin-induced hydrocephalus in young rats using this adapted shunt.
Main Methods:
- A VSCS technique was developed in 31 Wistar rats with induced hydrocephalus.
- A 0.7-mm catheter was tunneled to the back and inserted into the lateral ventricle.
- Animals were observed for 14 days post-shunt implantation.
Main Results:
- 24 rats survived with normal weight gain and improved motor skills post-shunting.
- MR scans confirmed reduced ventricular size, indicating effective treatment.
- Histopathology revealed reversion of brain tissue damage and reduced astrocyte reactivity.
Conclusions:
- An experimental CSF shunt technique was successfully devised and implemented.
- The VSCS effectively diverts excess CSF with a low complication rate.
- This technique is suitable for various experimental hydrocephalus studies.
Background:
Hydrocephalus is a complex disease that affects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and is very common in children. To this date, CSF shunting is still the standard treatment for childhood hydrocephalus, but, nevertheless, the effects of such an operation on the developing brain are widely unknown. To help overcome this, experimental models of CSF shunts are surely very useful tools.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to describe a feasible and reliable technique of an adapted ventricular-subcutaneous shunt for the treatment of kaolin-induced hydrocephalus in young rats.
Methods:
We developed a ventricular-subcutaneous shunt (VSCS) technique which was used in 31 Wistar young rats with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus was induced at 7 days of age, and shunt implantation was performed 7 days later. Our technique used a 0.7-mm gauge polypropylene catheter tunneled to a subcutaneous pocket created over the animal's back and inserted into the right lateral ventricle. All animals were sacrificed 14 days after shunt insertion.
Results:
Twenty-four rats survived and remained well until the study was ended. No major complications were seen. Their weight gain went back to normal. They all underwent ambulatory behavioral testing prior and after VSCS, which showed improvement in their motor skills. We have also obtained magnetic resonance (MR) scans of 16 pups confirming reduction of ventricular size after shunting and indicating effective treatment. Histopathological analysis of brain samples before and after shunting showed reversion of ependymal and corpus callosum disruption, as well as fewer reactive astrocytes in shunted animals.
Conclusions:
An experimental CSF shunt technique was devised. Excessive CSF of hydrocephalic rats is diverted into the subcutaneous space where it can be resorbed. This technique has a low complication rate and is effective. It might be applied to various types of experimental studies involving induction and treatment of hydrocephalus.
